Overview

• The sailor departed Blanc-Sablon, Quebec, in early July aboard a six-metre sailboat bound for Greenland and lost contact after encountering gale-force winds and five-metre waves.
• A passing bulk carrier, the Lowlands Century, intercepted his distress radio signal on Wednesday morning and alerted search and rescue officials.
• A Canadian Coast Guard Cormorant helicopter hoisted the sailor from his disabled boat a few hours later and brought him ashore unharmed.
• Search vessels and aircraft were dispatched from St. John’s to the Cartwright, Labrador area after his social media updates ceased on July 17.
• The ordeal has prompted a review of maritime safety rules to reinforce proper oceanic voyage planning, vessel outfitting, and continuous monitoring of distress frequencies.